Hyacinth
Hyacinth: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
The garden hyacinth, Hyacinthus orientalis, is a bulbous perennial best known for its spring flower clusters and strong scent. It belongs to the Asparagaceae family, and the original species comes from the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. Its many garden selections now offer more variety in colour and flowerhead shape than a single familiar potted hyacinth might suggest.The plant has an underground bulb that acts as a storage organ. Above ground, thick green strap-shaped leaves surround a generally short flower stalk. The leaves have a glossy surface and a shallow channel along their length. This compact outline sets the hyacinth apart from many long-stemmed flowers and gives it a clear presence even in a small container. Its leaves are part of the plant's seasonal appearance rather than a permanent framework of woody branches.The flowers form an upright cluster. Each small flower is tubular or bell-shaped, with tips that curve…
